Travel Pasta Salad

About a Travel Writer and Garden Writer.

^{Well, I... I think that it... that it wasn't enough to just want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em... and it's that if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard; because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with. - Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz}

I like to write about places I've discovered and amazing people I've met. I like to garden and visit other gardens and gardening places.

It's not like I have to wear two hats. These two things, gardening and traveling, work quite well together.

For example, I traveled to St Louis this weekend. I bought travel pasta at World Market.

When I came back, I gathered basil from my garden. And this is how I combined travel and gardening: Travel pasta with (my) garden fresh lemon pesto and cold salmon.

I did not travel to the Mediterranean for the capers or to Alaska for the salmon. But, I have been to Florida where lemons are grown, and Kansas where wheat is harvested to make pasta. And the lemon basil came right from my garden only 30 feet away from the patio table where this meal was served.

However, I will tell you If I had gone to Alaska, or the Mediterranean, I wouldn't be bringing back salmon or capers. The checked baggage fees, the added extra charges and surcharges are just a way to make more money for the airlines And then there's airport security, well the hassle and the time involved make it cheaper, faster and easier for me to drive to Tulsa, Dallas, Memphis or Branson.

I am most gratful that I enjoyed dining on my patio surrounded by flowers. I am also happy this little rant didn't come to me until well after the meal.

Gratitude, you see, sometimes takes a circuitous route to get to higher ground.